NRC Awards $1.06M IV&V Contract for CAT Systems to Aegis.net, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,055,538 ($1.1M)

Contractor: Aegis.net, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Start Date: 2024-05-20

End Date: 2026-05-19

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V) SERVICES FOR THE CROSS CUTTING APPLICATIONS SYSTEMS (CAT).

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Nuclear Regulatory Commission obligated $1.1 million to AEGIS.NET, INC. for work described as: INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V) SERVICES FOR THE CROSS CUTTING APPLICATIONS SYSTEMS (CAT). Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call under full and open competition. 2. Aegis.net, Inc. is the sole awardee for these specific IV&V services. 3. The contract duration is 729 days, ending May 19, 2026. 4. The NAICS code 541519 suggests a broad range of computer-related services. 5. No small business participation was noted in this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.06M for IV&V services appears reasonable given the 2-year duration and the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar IT professional services contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which implies a pre-competed vehicle. The 'full and open competition' designation suggests multiple vendors could have bid, leading to competitive pricing discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Competitive bidding through a BPA Call aims to secure fair market prices, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential IT support services.

Public Impact

Ensures the integrity and reliability of critical nuclear regulatory systems. Supports the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's mission to protect public health and safety. Provides independent technical expertise for complex software applications. Contributes to the secure and effective operation of regulatory IT infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific small business participation.
Potential for vendor lock-in if BPA is not actively managed.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IV&V services.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive BPA Call.
Clear contract duration and end date.
Firm Fixed Price contract type manages cost risk.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT professional services sector, specifically Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V). Spending in this area is crucial for government agencies to ensure the quality and security of their IT systems, especially in sensitive areas like nuclear regulation.

Small Business Impact

The award data indicates no small business participation (SB=false). This suggests that either small businesses did not bid, were not qualified, or the contract was not specifically set aside for them. Further analysis could explore opportunities for future small business involvement in similar procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA Call suggests an existing oversight framework for the underlying contract. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty. However, ongoing monitoring of performance and deliverables by the NRC is essential for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Contracting
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Programs

Risk Flags

No small business participation.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical function.
Limited transparency on specific IV&V methodologies used.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Nuclear Regulatory Commission awarded $1.1 million to AEGIS.NET, INC.. INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V) SERVICES FOR THE CROSS CUTTING APPLICATIONS SYSTEMS (CAT).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AEGIS.NET, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Nuclear Regulatory Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-20. End: 2026-05-19.

What is the benchmark cost for IV&V services for similar government IT systems?

Benchmarking IV&V services requires detailed comparison of scope, complexity, duration, and vendor expertise. While $1.06M over two years for specialized IT support is not inherently excessive, comparing it to contracts for similar-sized systems within the federal government, particularly those involving critical infrastructure or regulatory functions, would provide a clearer picture of value for money.

What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for IV&V services, even under a competitive BPA Call?

Even with a competitive BPA Call, relying on a single vendor for IV&V poses risks such as potential complacency, reduced innovation, and knowledge silos. If the vendor's performance degrades or they face internal issues, the agency lacks immediate alternatives. This underscores the importance of robust performance management and contingency planning.

How effectively does this IV&V contract contribute to the NRC's overall mission of ensuring nuclear safety?

This IV&V contract is crucial for ensuring the reliability and security of the Cross Cutting Applications Systems (CAT), which likely support the NRC's regulatory functions. By providing independent validation, it helps mitigate risks associated with software defects or vulnerabilities, thereby directly contributing to the agency's core mission of protecting public health and safety.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 31310024Q0024

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Aegis.net Inc

Address: 2275 RESEARCH BLVD, STE 500, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,372,889

Exercised Options: $1,055,538

Current Obligation: $1,055,538

Actual Outlays: $851,629

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 31310020A0003

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline